Rabat: The Ministry of Equipment and Water, in partnership with the German Embassy and the Danish Embassy in Morocco, launched a new cooperation project in the water sector on Monday in Rabat, under the theme ‘Sustainable territories – Sustainable and resilient lifestyles in Morocco’.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the project has a projected budget of £12 million and aims to improve water availability and stimulate inclusive economic development in the High Atlas region, severely affected by the earthquake of September 2023. Co-funded by the German and Danish governments, the project will be implemented by the German Development Cooperation Agency (GIZ) and seeks to assist the earthquake-affected areas by promoting innovative governance of natural resources through the Ourika river contract.

The initiative focuses on four key areas: governance of water resources, reconstruction, economic recovery, and promoting skills to generalize and replicate innovative practices tested under the project. Mini
ster of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka highlighted that the Moroccan government had implemented a series of initiatives since the 2023 earthquake, following the High Guidelines of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, aiming to meet the urgent needs of the affected population while adopting a strategic vision for water resource management.

German Ambassador to Morocco Robert Dölger emphasized the importance of integrated adaptation approaches through this project to improve local livelihoods while ensuring the sustainability of economic activities, reaffirming Germany’s commitment to joint climate change adaptation efforts. Danish Ambassador to Morocco Berit Basse noted that the project’s ambitious objectives require both social and technical innovation, highlighting Denmark’s intent to contribute to improving local livelihoods and promoting nature-based solutions.

Morocco’s National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) Managing Director Abderrahim Houmy described the initiative as a beacon of hope for the earthqu
ake-affected regions, demonstrating a strong commitment to population resilience, sustainable natural resource management, and combating climate change impacts.

On the sidelines of the project, an agreement was signed by Morocco’s Director General of Hydraulic Engineering Abdelaziz Zerouali, Head of GIZ’s North Africa Department Doreen Fontaine, and Senior Technical Advisor Anne Chaponnière. A second partnership agreement was also inked by Director of Morocco’s Tensift Water Basin Agency (ABHT) Mohamed Chtioui, Regional Director of ANEF Marrakech Safi Abdelaziz Hajjaji, and Chaponnière, outlining the terms for implementing the project’s activities and resources to be employed.